OpenAI Releases Two Open-Source Models to Regain Ground Against Global Competition

OpenAI has re-entered the open-source AI arena with the release of two new language models, i.e., gpt-oss-120b and gpt-oss-20b. These models mark a notable shift in the company’s strategy as it seeks to regain ground amid rising pressure from global competitors offering unrestricted and high-performing open-weight models.

The two models, released under the permissive Apache 2.0 license, can be freely downloaded, modified, and deployed without fees or restrictive conditions. This licensing move aligns OpenAI with a growing field of open-weight rivals, especially from China and Europe, and reflects an effort to meet developer demand for transparency and enterprise adaptability. With these releases, OpenAI aims to offer high-performance models that users can run locally, granting complete control and enhanced data privacy.

Technically, the gpt-oss-120b model includes 120 billion parameters and is designed to run on a single Nvidia H100 GPU, while the lighter 20-billion parameter gpt-oss-20b model is suitable for local use on consumer-grade hardware. Both models are optimized for reasoning, code generation, mathematical tasks, and general problem-solving. They also support multilingual processing and perform competitively against proprietary counterparts like OpenAI’s own o4-mini and o3-mini models in industry-standard benchmarks.

The models utilize a Mixture-of-Experts architecture with Rotary Positional Embeddings and offer a 128,000-token context window. OpenAI has also made the tokenizer, named o200k_harmony, open source. These models support adjustable reasoning depth and offer fine-tuning capabilities, allowing developers to calibrate their performance based on latency and complexity requirements. Furthermore, tool use capabilities such as web search and code execution are modular, giving developers flexibility in integration without relying on OpenAI's infrastructure.

OpenAI emphasizes safety in the release, incorporating safeguards such as filtering of sensitive CBRN content during training and advanced post-training safety mechanisms. The company conducted rigorous internal and external evaluations, including malicious fine-tuning simulations and third-party reviews, concluding that the models remain below high-risk thresholds in cybersecurity and biosecurity domains. These results contributed to OpenAI's decision to release the models openly.

Deployment options are already available across major platforms like Hugging Face, Azure, AWS, and Databricks. Hardware partners include NVIDIA, AMD, and Cerebras, while optimized builds are being rolled out for Windows users. To further test model robustness, OpenAI has launched a $500,000 Red Teaming Challenge on Kaggle, inviting security researchers and developers to identify misuse vectors. The company also plans to release a public evaluation dataset to promote open research on model safety.

This release comes as OpenAI faces mounting competition from an expanding group of open-source AI developers worldwide. From DeepSeek’s high-efficiency R1 models in China to Europe’s Mistral series and Meta’s Llama family in the U.S., OpenAI now joins a crowded field of models offering increasingly comparable performance with fewer restrictions. The availability of high-performance open-weight models has spurred enterprise adoption, especially in regulated sectors where local deployment is crucial.

The decision to reintroduce open models also appears to be a strategic response to internal and external pressures. While OpenAI continues to see substantial revenue from proprietary offerings like GPT-4o and its API services, the dominance of open-source alternatives among enterprise customers has likely influenced this shift. OpenAI reported strong financials, with $13 billion in annual recurring revenue and a user base of over 700 million weekly active users, but the appeal of unrestricted, locally hosted models may divert usage away from paid platforms.

By offering robust, open-weight alternatives, OpenAI positions itself as a one-stop AI provider, spanning both proprietary and open ecosystems. The release may not generate direct revenue, but it helps OpenAI retain relevance among developers and enterprises exploring cost-effective and private AI solutions. The company is also reportedly deploying in-house engineers to help enterprise clients customize these models, potentially opening new service-based revenue channels.

The launch of gpt-oss may signal a long-term strategy to balance openness and safety while expanding the reach of AI tools across industries. Whether this approach can sustain OpenAI’s growth amid intensifying global competition remains an open question, but the release marks a renewed commitment to the principles of transparency and developer empowerment that originally defined the organization’s mission.

Notes: This post was created using GenAI tools. Image: DIW-Aigen.

Read next: Your Phone May Be a Germ Hub and You’re Likely Cleaning It All Wrong

by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World

Your Phone May Be a Germ Hub and You’re Likely Cleaning It All Wrong

We wash our hands, sanitise shopping trolleys and wipe down cafe tables. But what about our phones? We touch these devices dozens of times a day , and take them everywhere from the kitchen to the dining table, and even the bathroom.

Phones can be contaminated with many kinds of potential germs . When was the last time you wiped down yours – and with what?

If you use the wrong cleaning agents or tools, you could strip your phone’s protective coatings, degrade waterproof seals, or even affect its touch sensitivity.

Do phones really need cleaning?

Touchscreens get covered in fingerprints and smudges, so there are aesthetic and functional reasons to wipe down your screen.

Another reason comes down to potential health concerns . Whenever mobile phones are swabbed for microorganisms , scientists inevitably find hundreds of species of bacteria and viruses .

While not all of these cause sickness, the potential for transmission is there. We use phones while in the bathroom and then put them near our mouths, touch them while eating, and pass them between people in meetings, cafes, parties and classrooms.

Unlike hands, which can be washed many times a day, phones are rarely cleaned properly – if at all.

If you do want to sanitise your phone, it’s also important to not damage it in the process.

Some cleaning products will damage your phone

You might think a quick swipe with a household cleaner or hand sanitiser is a clever shortcut to keeping your phone clean. However, many of these products can actually degrade your device’s surface and internal components over time.

For example, both Apple and Samsung advise against using bleach, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, aerosol sprays, window cleaners or high-concentration alcohol wipes (above 70%) on their devices.

Most smartphones are coated with an oleophobic layer – a thin film that helps resist fingerprints and smudges. Harsh chemicals such as alcohols, acetone or ammonia-based cleaners can strip this coating, making your screen more vulnerable to smudging, and diminished touch responsiveness.

Vinegar, a common DIY disinfectant , can corrode aluminium or plastic edges due to its high acidity. Bleach and hydrogen peroxide, though highly effective as disinfectants, are also too aggressive for the delicate materials used in consumer electronics.

High-alcohol content wipes may dry out plastics and make them brittle with repeated use .

In short: if the cleaner is tough enough to disinfect your kitchen bench, it is probably too harsh for your phone.

The oleophobic coating on a device screen can help repel fingerprints – but can be destroyed with harsh cleaning chemicals. Shuvro Mojumder/Unsplash

How should I clean my phone then?

The good news is that cleaning your phone properly is simple and inexpensive. You just need to follow the guidelines backed by major manufacturers. You should also unplug and remove any protective cases or accessories when cleaning your phone.

Most tech companies recommend using 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes (not higher), soft microfibre cloths, and anti-static soft-bristled brushes made of nylon, horsehair or goat hair to clean delicate areas like speaker grills and charging ports.

During the COVID pandemic, Apple revised its cleaning guidelines to permit the use of Clorox disinfecting wipes and 70% isopropyl alcohol on iPhones, provided they are used gently to avoid damaging screen coatings or allowing moisture to seep into the device.

Samsung offers similar advice , recommending users wipe down their phones with a microfibre cloth lightly dampened with a 70% alcohol solution, while steering clear of direct application to ports and openings.

Prevent accidental damage when using these tips

Never spray liquid directly onto the phone , as moisture can seep into ports and internal components, leading to short circuits or corrosion.

Submerging your phone in any cleaning solution is also risky, even for water-resistant models : the seals that prevent water from getting in, such as rubber gaskets, adhesives, nano-coatings and silicone layers, can degrade over time.

Avoid using paper towels, tissues, or rough cloths which may leave scratches on the screen or shed lint that clogs openings.

Finally, be cautious about over-cleaning. Excessive wiping or scrubbing can wear down protective coatings, making your phone more susceptible to fingerprints, smudges, and long-term surface damage.

How often should I clean my phone?

While there is no strict rule for how often you should clean your phone, giving it a proper wipe-down at least once a week under normal use would make sense.

If you regularly take your phone into high-risk environments such as public transport, hospitals, gyms, or bathrooms it is wise to clean it more frequently.

If you’re serious about hygiene, cleaning not just your hands but one of the things you touch most every single day makes sense.

Doing it wrong can slowly damage your device. But doing it right is simple, affordable, and doesn’t take much time.

This post was originally published on Theconversation.

Read next: AI Is Reshaping the Developer Role, and GitHub Says the Shift Is Already Underway

by Web Desk via Digital Information World

ChatGPT Close to 700 Million Weekly Users as OpenAI Wraps Up GPT-5 Rollout and Adjusts for User Wellbeing

OpenAI says ChatGPT is on track to hit 700 million weekly users within days, marking another steep climb for the tool that has become increasingly embedded in personal and professional life. The pace of growth continues to accelerate. In March, the platform stood at around 500 million weekly users. That figure was already several times higher than the year before.

The timing isn’t random. OpenAI is finalizing its rollout of GPT-5, the company’s newest model and its most capable so far. The update is designed to improve language while adding built-in reasoning, signaling a broader shift in how the model is being developed. Until now, OpenAI had kept logic-based systems like the o3 models separate from its core language tools. GPT-5 will likely merge these threads into one track.

The decision to integrate reasoning into the main platform means fewer decisions for users. There’s no longer a need to figure out which model fits a task. Everything will run through a single system, tuned to respond better across a wider range of requests.

Internally, this move signals something else. It shows OpenAI is gradually working toward more general forms of intelligence, although that threshold remains distant. GPT-5 may move the bar forward, but OpenAI has said that the model will need time before reaching what it considers a polished stage. Even so, some business terms tied to AGI could eventually be affected. Microsoft’s agreement with OpenAI includes triggers for revenue and licensing that depend on the capabilities of the system.

GPT-5 will launch in multiple sizes. In addition to the main model, smaller versions will be available to developers and commercial customers through the API. These lightweight options are meant to offer flexibility, especially where computing power or speed is limited.

ChatGPT is growing fastest inside companies. OpenAI now reports five million paying business users, up by two million in less than two months. That growth has helped push the platform to more than three billion daily messages. Numbers like that suggest heavy usage, not just high interest.

Revenue is rising with it. OpenAI is currently operating at a $13 billion annual run rate. Just a few weeks earlier, it was at $10 billion. Forecasts point higher still. Some analysts expect that number to cross $20 billion before the end of the year.

• Also read: Industry Breakdown: Where Generative AI Is Gaining Ground

Supporting this kind of scale takes enormous infrastructure. OpenAI recently secured a $30 billion lease agreement with Oracle for server capacity. Another $11.9 billion is going to CoreWeave, a specialized cloud provider. The company is also expanding internationally, with a large data center project underway in Abu Dhabi and other activity in Norway.

But on the other hand competitors are also gaining ground. Google’s AI Overviews has claimed billions of monthly users and continues to expand, as its Gemini assistant is closing in on half a billion regular users. Meta is also scaling its Llama models. Anthropic is in the middle of a new funding round that could value it at $170 billion. While, Musk’s xAI venture remains under development but continues to attract attention and money.

The surge in global activity has sparked a race for researchers. Microsoft recently hired more than twenty former employees from Google’s DeepMind team. Some had worked on Gemini. These moves show how quickly the talent market is shifting as AI products mature.

Alongside growth and upgrades, OpenAI has started making changes in how ChatGPT interacts with users. Break reminders are now part of the interface. After longer sessions, users may see a gentle prompt asking whether it’s a good time to pause. The feature is designed to reduce overuse and bring more awareness to interaction time.

The company has also faced criticism about how ChatGPT responds to emotionally sensitive queries. In some cases, the system reinforced harmful thoughts or gave information in ways that weren’t responsible. OpenAI says future versions will be more careful in these areas. Instead of handing back fast answers, the model will help people think through their questions, especially when decisions carry risk or emotional weight.

A previous update caused the assistant to become overly agreeable. Many users found it unhelpful or frustrating. That version was pulled back. Since then, engineers have been adjusting tone and response behavior to improve quality without slipping into excessive compliance.

OpenAI is building a platform that’s meant to last. Reaching this many users in a short time isn’t just about scale. It changes expectations. Businesses want consistency, performance, and the sense that the tools they use won’t vanish or stop evolving.

High usage also feeds the system itself. More activity brings in more feedback. More feedback shapes new iterations. The data cycle tightens. Each version can be trained and fine-tuned with a broader sample of real-world interaction.

The launch of GPT-5 and the changes to ChatGPT’s behavior are coming during a volatile period in the AI sector. OpenAI now finds itself at a point where leadership must be defended every day. With billions flowing into competitors and pressure rising from customers, regulators, and the public, the company’s next moves will shape more than its own future.

Read next: Students Turn to AI While Colleges Struggle to Keep Up
by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World

Industry Breakdown: Where Generative AI Is Gaining Ground

More employees across different sectors are using generative AI tools to complete tasks. This shift has moved quickly over the past year. Based on new data from McKinsey most industries now report some level of adoption among their workers, though the pace varies by field.

Technology and Consulting Are Ahead

The technology sector reports the highest share of generative AI use. About 88% of respondents say they use it in at least one part of their job. This includes functions like marketing, sales, and customer-facing content creation. It’s common for teams to rely on AI tools to help write, analyze, or organize materials across digital platforms.

Professional services firms are not far behind. About 80% of employees in consulting, legal, and accounting firms use AI tools in some way. Many of these tasks involve research, document processing, and data review.

Advanced Manufacturing and Media Use Varies

In areas like aerospace, electronics, and semiconductor firms, usage is also high. Around 79% of workers in these fields have used generative AI. Marketing leads the list of functions, but regulatory tasks remain less common for automation.

Media and telecom workers show similar adoption levels. These companies often experiment with video, audio, and written content powered by AI systems. While not universal, creative departments tend to use these tools more than technical or legal teams.

Retail, Finance, and Health Are Catching Up

Consumer-facing companies, like those in retail or packaged goods, show lower but still strong engagement. Around 68% of workers say they’ve used AI in one or more functions. In finance, the figure is close to 65%. Banks and insurers often apply AI in customer support or internal data handling.

Healthcare, pharmaceutical, and medical product companies also report adoption at about 63%. In these areas, the use is often tied to administrative tasks, reporting, or patient communication tools.

Some Sectors Are Slower

Energy and materials companies sit at the lower end of the list. About 59% of their workers say they’ve used generative AI in any part of their role. This includes tasks like operations support or planning, but manual or field work tends to limit usage.

Across all industries, some functions remain mostly untouched by generative tools. In particular, workers in manufacturing and supply chain roles report the lowest usage. Only 5% of employees in manufacturing, and 7% in supply chains, said they use AI in their regular tasks. This may reflect the slower integration of automation in hands-on or logistics-heavy environments.

A Snapshot of Change, But Still Uneven

Overall, the data shows that generative AI is already present in most workplaces, but it’s not evenly spread. Some industries are far ahead, using these tools across multiple teams. Others are still exploring what role it can play.

As more companies test new systems, and as tools evolve to handle more types of tasks, the current gaps may shift. For now, though, the areas seeing the most direct use are those where digital workflows, content, or analysis already play a central role.

Notes: This post was edited/created using GenAI tools. Image: DIW

Read next: Students Turn to AI While Colleges Struggle to Keep Up
by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World

Students Turn to AI While Colleges Struggle to Keep Up

A new survey of 2,000 U.S. students in higher education, conducted online in early July and commissioned by Grammarly, found that artificial intelligence has become a regular tool for most learners. The study focused on those working toward college degrees in the US and revealed how deeply AI has entered both academic life and personal routines.

The most common use of AI, mentioned by 49% of respondents, was for brainstorming ideas. Another 42% said they use it to fix grammar and spelling mistakes, while 41% turn to it for help in understanding class topics that are hard to follow. Around 35% said AI helps them grasp issues unrelated to school, such as taxes or planning travel. A slightly smaller share, at 34%, reported using AI to expand on early ideas after brainstorming. About 29% said they use it for questions they’re too embarrassed to ask in person, and 25% said they rely on AI for general life advice or for improving their résumés. A quarter also use it to build study aids like notecards, and 22% said they’ve used AI to get ready for interviews. These numbers point to how embedded these tools have become across nearly every part of a student's week.

Altogether, 87% of students said they use AI for academic tasks, while 90% said they also apply it to life outside the classroom. On average, respondents reported spending five hours per week using AI tools for schoolwork and another five hours using them for personal reasons. But despite how common the tools have become, many said they feel unprepared or unsupported when it comes to using them properly.

Around 55% of students said they are learning to use AI without real guidance. Another 46% admitted they’re worried about getting in trouble for how they use it, and 10% said they already have faced consequences. While most students said their school has an official policy on AI, what those rules look like differs widely. About 30% said the use of AI is allowed for specific tasks only, and 31% reported that they can use it more broadly if sources are cited. But 32% said their college or university doesn’t allow the use of AI at all.

Even in places where rules exist, students say support is limited. Nearly 69% said most of their professors talk about the policy. However, only 11% said their instructors encourage AI use. That mismatch has left many students operating in an unclear space, where policies are known but not reinforced with helpful instruction.

Peer attitudes also vary. Roughly 37% of students said AI use is acceptable if disclosed, while 25% said classmates view it as cheating. About 22% felt that using AI is seen as an efficient or smart move by others in their circle.

When asked what they believe will matter most after graduation, half of the students said that knowing how to use AI is the top skill they expect to leave college with. Around 62% also linked their future career success to the ability to use AI responsibly. The degree itself didn’t rank as highly.

Only 28% of students said their institution is lagging behind when it comes to adopting new tech. Still, the findings show that usage is outpacing instruction. Most students are already deep into regular use of AI, both for learning and for life tasks, even while schools are still deciding how to handle it.

Read next: The Great SaaS List 2025: Which Tools Companies Are Using, Replacing, and Retiring
by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World

The Great SaaS List 2025: Which Tools Companies Are Using, Replacing, and Retiring

In the past year, many businesses have started to rethink their software stacks. Instead of adding more tools, teams are cutting back. They're choosing platforms that cover more ground, reduce friction, and actually get used.

DesignRush conducted a year-over-year analysis of Google search trends and web traffic for 14 popular SaaS products. The research aimed to determine which tools are rising in popularity and which are falling out of favor. Rankings were determined by search volume and organic traffic metrics.

Here’s what the data showed.

Top 5 SaaS Tools of 2025

Based on Website Traffic, Search Volume & Growth Signals

The following tools rank highest in the Great SaaS List – 2025 Edition, which combines:

• Search Keyword Growth (40%)

• Website Traffic Growth (60%)

These final scores reflect tools that are not only visited more but are also increasingly searched for, making them the most popular and relevant in today’s SaaS ecosystem.

1. Canva

Website: canva.com

Rank: #1

Final Score: 10.0

Canva came out on top. It had more than 18 million search queries and nearly 392 million visits. Search interest increased by 124 percent. Website traffic rose by 46 percent.

This tells us that people are not only curious about Canva but also actively using it. The tool is popular across teams in marketing, education, and small business because it's simple and fast to use.

2. Microsoft Teams

Website: microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams

Rank: #2

Final Score: 8.3

Microsoft Teams showed steady growth. Website visits were up 35 percent, and search traffic increased by 25 percent.

Because it’s part of Microsoft 365, Teams is becoming the default for messaging, video calls, and collaboration in many workplaces.

3. Trello

Website: trello.com

Rank: #3

Final Score: 7.5

Trello had a 21 percent increase in search interest and a modest 3 percent bump in traffic.

Its ease of use and visual layout still make it a reliable pick for freelancers and small teams.

4. Workday

Website: workday.com

Rank: #4

Final Score: 7.3

Workday saw a 10 percent increase in searches and a 3 percent gain in traffic.

It continues to be used in large companies for HR, payroll, and finance tasks. While growth is slower, usage remains consistent.

5. Dropbox

Website: dropbox.com

Rank: #5

Final Score: 7.0

Dropbox traffic declined by 9 percent, but search volume grew by nearly 10 percent.

This suggests that people still seek it out, but may be shifting toward tools like Google Drive or OneDrive for daily use.

• Also read: Agentic AI Coding Tools Gain Momentum in Corporate Engineering Workflows

5 Declining SaaS Tools of 2025

This section focuses on the five lowest-ranked tools, based on a combination of search keyword growth and website traffic change, as used in the weighted final score formula (60% traffic, 40% search).

1. Zoom

Website: zoom.us

Report Rank: #14

Final Score: 5.2

Zoom saw one of the most dramatic declines this year, placing last with a score of 5.2. This is because Zoom’s traffic dropped by 64 percent. Searches were down by 18 percent.

Many companies are moving to tools like Microsoft Teams or Google Meet, which come with the platforms they already use.

2. HubSpot

Website: hubspot.com

Report Rank: #13

Final Score: 5.2

HubSpot ranks #13 but matches Zoom in final score. HubSpot traffic dropped more than any other platform on the list at 71 percent. Search interest declined only slightly.

This shows people still look it up, but actual usage has dropped. Teams may be switching to simpler options like Zoho or Pipedrive.

3. Mailchimp

Website: mailchimp.com

Report Rank: #12

Final Score: 6.0

Mailchimp had flat search numbers, but website visits fell by 42 percent.

It appears many users in ecommerce and content creation are moving to Klaviyo or ConvertKit, which offer more specialized tools.

4. Salesforce

Website: salesforce.com

Report Rank: #11

Final Score: 6.2

Salesforce traffic declined by 23 percent. Search demand also dropped by 18 percent.

Although it remains a standard in enterprise, smaller teams are choosing tools that are easier to set up and maintain.

5. Asana

Website: asana.com

Report Rank: #9

Final Score: 6.4

Asana traffic dropped by 26 percent. Search interest stayed the same.

The platform is facing more competition from newer tools like Notion, ClickUp, and Linear, which combine project tracking with documents and databases.

Tools in Decline (by Traffic Loss)

Tool	% Traffic Change	Notes
HubSpot	–71.2%	Marketing teams opting for lighter CRM options
Mailchimp	–64.8%	Losing share to ecommerce-focused platforms
Zoom	–64.8%	Post-pandemic decline + competition from Teams
Asana	–71.2%	Being replaced by hybrid tools (Notion, ClickUp)

These platforms may still be active, but fewer people are using their websites compared to last year.

Migration Trends: 6 Tools Being Replaced in 2025

This section explores clear migration patterns in the SaaS space.

Using combined signals from traffic drops, search declines, and platform popularity, DesignRush identify which tools are most likely being replaced, and what emerging alternatives are taking their place in modern tech stacks.

• Related: AI Models Write Code That Works, But Often Miss Security Basics

These shifts are not just preference-based, they’re strategic. Companies are consolidating, reducing costs, and prioritizing integration and UX.

Below are the most likely replacements in 2025:

1. Zoom → Microsoft Teams or Google Meet

Zoom is being replaced by Teams and Google Meet, mostly because those are built into systems many companies already use.

• Replacements:

• Microsoft Teams (+35.8% traffic) for enterprises using Office 365

• Google Meet as the default for Google Workspace users

• Trend: Businesses prefer integrated, bundled video tools over standalone apps.

2. HubSpot → Zoho CRM, Pipedrive, or Custom Stacks

HubSpot users are moving to Zoho, Pipedrive, or building lightweight CRM stacks using Notion, Airtable, and Zapier.

• Replacements:

• Zoho CRM and Pipedrive for budget-conscious teams

• Modular stacks with Notion + Airtable + Zapier for flexibility

• Trend: HubSpot’s all-in-one suite is being replaced by customizable, lower-cost options.

3. Mailchimp → Klaviyo, ConvertKit

Mailchimp is losing users to Klaviyo and ConvertKit, which focus more on automation and ecommerce.

• Replacements:

• Klaviyo for ecommerce automation

• ConvertKit for creators and small businesses

• Trend: Users want smarter email, better segmentation, and ecommerce-native features.

4. Asana → Notion, ClickUp, Linear

Asana is being swapped out for tools like ClickUp and Notion that combine multiple features in one app.

• Replacements:

• ClickUp for full-stack PM

• Notion for flexible docs + tasks

• Linear for fast, dev-centric workflows

• Trend: All-in-one workspaces are winning over linear task lists.

5. Slack → Microsoft Teams

Slack is losing share to Microsoft Teams, especially in companies already using the Microsoft suite.

• Replacements: Teams gains from Microsoft ecosystem bundling

• Trend: Teams integrates meetings, chat, docs, all in one. Slack struggles to justify itself as a standalone tool in corporate IT stacks.

6. Tableau → Power BI, Looker

Tableau is being replaced by Power BI and Looker, which are easier to integrate with other tools.

• Replacements:

• Power BI (Microsoft) for native analytics

• Looker (Google) for embedded dashboards

• Trend: Businesses favor tools embedded in their existing cloud platforms.

Categories Losing Traction in 2025

Communication tools like Zoom and Slack are being replaced by Teams or Google Meet, especially in companies trying to reduce costs and simplify logins.

Marketing tools like HubSpot and Mailchimp are being replaced by options that are easier to manage or better suited to specific industries.

Project management tools such as Asana and Basecamp are seeing users shift to platforms that also support documents, notes, and team wikis.

Analytics tools including Tableau and Salesforce dashboards are being replaced with options like Power BI and Looker, which are built into platforms businesses already use.

What This Means for Businesses

Teams are trying to reduce friction. They want fewer tools that can do more.

If a product is part of an existing software package, it is more likely to stay. Standalone tools need to offer clear value to justify their place.

Complex software with steep learning curves or high costs is being replaced with products that are faster to adopt and easier to use.

Read next: Most Americans Still Use Social Media, But 41% Are Pulling Back in 2025

by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World

In 2025, Americans No Longer Search the Same Way. Trust, Age, and Task Now Shape Where They Go

People in the U.S. still use search engines to look things up, but the digital landscape has split.

A survey conducted by Claneo in early 2025 shows that search engines remain the default tool for general knowledge, with 72 percent saying they use them several times a week. But other platforms are creeping in. Around 25 percent of people now say they regularly use AI chatbots, while 15 percent rely on AI-powered search engines. These numbers aren’t leading, but they’re growing steadily.

Among younger users, platform habits are different. Those aged 16 to 27 don’t just search less with traditional engines, they also favor tools that look and feel different. YouTube is used frequently by 68 percent of this group. Instagram follows close behind at 65 percent. TikTok isn’t far off either, drawing in 58 percent of these younger users. At the same time, 34 percent of them already use AI chatbots for information searches. That’s a stronger uptake than seen in any older age group.

When it comes to trust, the picture is split. AI search tools are gaining credibility, with 79 percent of respondents saying they trust AI-based search engines. A slightly smaller share, 77 percent, say they feel the same about AI chatbots. These confidence levels still trail behind older, more established platforms. Amazon scores highest on trust, reaching 87 percent. Search engines and YouTube follow, both at 86 percent. Walmart and Pinterest sit just behind at 85 percent.

Other platforms rank lower. Trust in Asian e-commerce services remains fragile. Thirty-one percent of Americans surveyed describe them as untrustworthy. Short-message platforms are next, with 28 percent sharing doubts. Facebook also draws concern from 27 percent of respondents. TikTok lands at 25 percent. Distrust of AI tools is lower, but still present, 23 percent rate AI chatbots as untrustworthy, while 21 percent say the same about AI search engines.

What people search for also affects where they go. For general knowledge, search engines still dominate. About 64 percent of Americans choose them first when they want broad information. YouTube is next, but far lower, with 22 percent. AI chatbots pull 17 percent, and Wikipedia accounts for 14 percent. Others like Reddit, TikTok, and Facebook are used less often for this purpose.

When the search is easy, say, a quick fact check, people still turn to engines first. Forty-seven percent use them for simple information tasks. Twenty-eight percent use AI chatbots. AI-powered engines make up 23 percent. Reddit handles 21 percent of these queries. These preferences change when the question gets more complicated.

For harder topics, search engine use falls to 36 percent. AI chatbots hold steady at 27 percent. AI search engines reach 21 percent, and Reddit remains close behind with 20 percent. These shifts show that users often branch out when questions get deeper or the information becomes harder to sort through.

Product search is a different story. People don't use traditional engines as much when they shop. Just 44 percent search for products through general engines. Amazon isn’t far behind at 41 percent. Walmart draws in 32 percent. The pattern changes again depending on price.

If users are shopping for affordable goods, Walmart leads with 55 percent. Amazon follows at 51 percent. Asian shopping platforms pull in 45 percent. But for expensive items, the field tightens. Amazon and eBay both land at 22 percent. Price comparison websites trail at 16 percent.

Entertainment still dominates social media. Many people say they go to YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok mainly for trends and videos. YouTube ranks highest at 59 percent. Instagram draws 54 percent. Facebook and TikTok are used this way by 53 and 51 percent of users, respectively. Still, these platforms are slowly entering the search space too, especially for brands and products.

When people decide which platform to use, trust and clarity matter more than speed. Forty-nine percent of users say trustworthiness is the most important trait in online search results. Clear, understandable content comes next at 38 percent. Low prices matter to 35 percent. Ratings and reviews sit close behind at 34 percent. Layout and presentation also play a role, but they rank lower.

According the the survey, speed ranks even lower. Many users say they’ll wait longer for solid answers, especially if the information comes from a source they trust. This points to a shift where credibility and content quality outweigh speed or design.

People don’t only use AI for search. In fact, AI tools are being used for a wide mix of tasks. Nineteen percent of users rely on them to process complex information. Another 19 percent use them for research. Creative help is close behind at 17 percent. Finding simple facts accounts for 16 percent of usage. Writing and text generation stands at 15 percent.

That said, not everyone is on board. In the U.S., 39 percent of survey participants said they don’t use AI for any of these purposes. In Germany, the number is lower, around 29 percent.

Search is no longer one platform serving every need. In 2025, users break their habits into categories. They don’t search in the same place for a how-to guide, a winter coat, and a technical article. Younger audiences are driving many of these changes, but the trend isn’t limited to them. People across all age groups are choosing platforms that fit the job.

Some platforms are rising because they’re easier to trust. Others gain ground because they handle complexity well. The decision of where to search now rests on a simple question: what’s the task?

Read next: Most Americans Still Use Social Media, But 41% Are Pulling Back in 2025

by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World